Puzzle.



ARTHUR J. ZSOHOKKE, OF SUN NYVALE, CALIFORNIA.

PUZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1909.

Application filed. September 28, 1908. Serial No. 455,149.

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunnyvale, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a puzzle of the labyrinth type and in which a certain course is followed from a given point to another objective or outlet point.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a puzzle having a labyrinth with one or more open areas or gaps rendered contin-' uous by simple and readily 0 erative means to connect the interrupted pat s or courses in several different relationships so as to render the puzzle more complex in its solution, but at the same time providing an effective means of amusement and pastime.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully hereinafter specified in preferred form.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a puzzle embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section on the line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of one of the gap closing members.

The numeral 5 designates a board or base of suitable dimensions and material having a surrounding rim or flange 6 and provided also with a labyrinth 7 preferably of spiral form or comprising continuous paths or courses arranged in concentric relation and intersected at intervals by cross lines 8 which form a part of the labyrinth, and may be traced. There are also terminals 9 where a path comes to an abru t ending and may not be continued in the sol iition of the puzzle, or in tracing or following the paths of the labyrinth.

While it is preferred, as above noted, that the paths of the labyrinth as at 10 be of spirally curved form, it will be understood that the invention is not confined to this precise arrangement of the paths or courses and the latter may be given other contours and may be composed of straight lines.

A simple construction of the puzzle consists in producing the labyrinth on a sheet or piece of cardboard 1]. and securing the latter to the base 5 by suitable means. The sheet 11 bearin the labyrinth, however, may be formed of thin sheet metal and at intervals in the labyrinth interruptions are formed in the paths or courses by circular openings 12 so located by predetermined calculation as to confuse the operator or solver. The openings 12 as shown are circular, but may be of other forms, and the lines defining the paths or courses are rendered incomplete or are broken by the said openings and the paths or courses are made continuous throu h the medium of rotatable disks 13, 14, 15 an 16, each disk cooperating with a pair of the openings 12 in the arrangement shown, but it is obvious that the same object would result each disk cooperated with a single opening or more than two openings. Portions of the edges of the disks project outwardly beyond the side edges of the base 5 above the flanges 6 so that they may be readily engaged by the operator or solver and rotated on their fulcrum pins 17 to bring various course or path continuations delineated thereon into view through the openings 12 and to connect the interrupted lines forming the labyrinth. As shown by Fig. 3, each of the disks may have a plurality of ath or course continuations 18 thereon of di ferent characters or forms, some operating when the disk is properly adjusted to continue the-interrupted lines of the labyrinth, others bringing the lines to an abru t termination, and others radically modi ying the direction the operator or solver is to take in continuing the solution of the puzzle. The puzzle as shown has each disk cooperating with a pair of the openings 12, and after the paths or courses have been continued through one opening by manipulating the adjacent disk and the operator passes over said opening, to continue the solution of the puzzle, the second opening controlled by the one disk may be subsequently modified so as to continue the interrupted lines by further turning the adjacent disk. It is obvious that this operation will tend to render the puzzle more complex in its solution and demand analytical consideration with advantages in concentration of thought and as a pastime means.

In solving the puzzle the operator starts.

from goal 19 at the center of the labyrinth and selects the several paths or courses emanating therefrom as he may desire, care being taken not to jump theterminals 9. The disks or movable members 13, 14, 15 and 16 may be first set, or moved after the solution begins. The operator having successfully traced a path or course toward the outer terminal of the labyrinthwill reach one or more of the openings 12 and by traversi'l'ig the adjacent cooperating disk or member which may have been already set, or adjusted after reaching the opening, the said opening being bridged by the lines indicated on the disk or member and connecting the interrupted lines of the labyrinth, may proceed over the path desired until all of the in terruptions have been passed and Without jumping or leaving the selected course.

It is proposed to produce the puzzle in leasing form and also to vary the size of the abyrinth in accordance with the dimensions of the sheet or plate 1 1 carrying the same and of the base or board 5. The use of the base or board 5 may be rendered unnecessary by forming the puzzle of heavy or very thick cardboard, or by using the, parts 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16 without other support.

That is claimed as new is:

1. A puzzle comprising a supporting means having defined thereon a labyrinth interrupted by an opening, and a means having lines thereon to continue or terminate the path of the labyrinth and shiftable to bring the lines opposite the opening.

2. A puzzle comprising a sup orting means having defined thereon a la yrinth embodying a plurality of courses inter-i rupted by openings, and rotatable members 7 006 eratin with the 0 enin 's and havin 5 b b b lines thereon to continue the interrupted OOUISQS l l l l l i 1 embodying a plurality of courses and a starting goal, the courses being interrupted at intervals by openings, and movable members cooperating with the openings and having continuation lines thereon to register with the lines defining the courses.

4. A puzzle comprising a sup orting means having defined thereon a la yrinth from a starting goal and interrupted at intervals by openings, and independently ,movable members cooperating with said openings and having lines delineated thereon to continue or terminate the courses.

6. A puzzle comprising a sup orting means having defined thereon a lal yrinth adapted to be traced from one point to another and provided with interrupting openings, and-movable means cooperating with the interrupting openings and having lines thereon to continue the labyrinth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR J. ZSOHOKKE.

l/Vitnesses:

GEORGE M. KLEIN, WILLIAM C. BERRY. 

